2012 Audi Q3 Confirmed

Audi confirms its upcoming compact luxury crossover; U.S. production plans put on hold.

Audi has announced it will build a small Q3 crossover at a SEAT plant in Martorell, Spain, part of which is being retooled for the 2011 launch of the new model. While struggling SEAT gets a much needed boost in production capacity—and 1200 jobs are saved—Audi has postponed the decision on a U.S. production facility until a later date. The German automaker had been considering its own U.S. plant for a while, and potentially could share the Volkswagen Group's new factory in Chattanooga, Tennessee, which is scheduled to produce VW’s New Mid-Size Sedan (NMS) and a VW-badged crossover vehicle from 2010 on. However, "there is currently no urgent need to select additional sites," says Audi CEO Rupert Stadler.

The Q3 will join Audi's portfolio of crossover SUVs, which includes the new Q5 and the updated-for-2010 Q7. But while the Q5 and the Q7 both have longitudinal engines, the Q3 is based on a layout with a transverse mounted powerplant. In fact, its platform is shared with a number of VW models, as well as the Audi A3. While the Q5 shares its architecture with the A4 (and the next-generation A6), think of the Q3 as the sister model of the VW Tiguan. But unlike the Tiguan, off-road capability was not on the list of Audi's engineering targets for the Q3. Sportiness was, though, making the company’s move to offer Quattro all-wheel drive as standard a sound decision.

Details are sketchy, but a gasoline-fueled 2.0-liter TFSI four-cylinder and a 2.0-liter TDI turbo-diesel, both tuned to about 200 hp, will be the obvious choices for the U.S. market. Audi will make a six-speed manual transmission available in Europe, but a six-speed dual-clutch automated manual (S tronic) or conventional automatic likely will be the sole gearbox offered in the U.S.

The Q3 should look a lot like the Cross Coupe Quattro concept unveiled at the 2007 Shanghai auto show, but with many of the details—such as the grille, lighting units, and air intakes—toned down for production. It is almost identical in size to the A3, but will be far taller. Audi says the Q3 also will have a "coupe-like appearance," but we’re not convinced. In our opinion, the concept appears less coupe-like than the BMW X6 or the Acura ZDX, with a more upright rear window than those bigger entries. Figure at least $30,000 for the Q3, with primary competition coming from BMW’s upcoming X1 crossover.